Emergency Vehicle Lights in the UK

The use of particular colours for emergency lighting is part practicality and part culture, and varies from country to country.

Colours and uses of emergency lighting in the UK

Blue – Emergency vehicles

Blue is the predominant colour for emergency vehicles in the UK and Europe. Blue is easy to see from a distance, especially in the dark.

Flashing Blue

Fire Engines

Ambulances

Police vehicles

Emergency vehicles including HM Coastguard, Forestry Commission and even HM Revenue and Customs in certain cases

Static Blue

Police vehicles

Amber – Warning Lights

Amber is traditionally associated with danger, and is therefore used as warning lights on vehicles and also on the roadside. Unlike blue lights, amber lights offer no priority in traffic, and are simply used to create awareness of the vehicle’s presence.

Flashing Amber

Road clearance vehicles

Rubbish collection vehicles

Breakdown vehicles and tow trucks

Vehicles with a maximum speed of 25 mph

Abnormal load vehicles

Escort vehicles for abnormal load vehicles

Static Amber

Road clearance vehicles

Vehicles transporting hazardous substances

White – Flashing headlights are permitted on emergency vehicles

Flashing lights on emergency vehicles can only flash between 1 and 4 times per second and must spend an equal amount of time on and off.

Green – Doctors vehicles

Like amber lights, green lights afford the vehicle no special priority, and the driver is expected to adhere to all current traffic rules such as speed limits and traffic lights.

Red is associated with danger. It is not used by emergency services in the UK or Europe, but is widely used by emergency services in the US and some other countries.

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